Fired-up Lions coach Dan Campbell thinks he has moved on from painful loss to Cowboys

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 20-19. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) chats with umpire Duane Heydt following a 2-point conversion play by the Lions against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half of an NFL football game on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 20-19. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, left, discusses with offensive tackle Taylor Decker before running a 2-point conversion play against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 20-19. Decker caught a pass for the score on the play, but the score was voided because he did not check in as an eligible receiver with officials prior to the play. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

DETROIT (AP) — Dan Campbell’s passion has been on display since the minute he was hired as coach of the Detroit Lions, memorably vowing at his inaugural news conference nearly three years ago that his teams would kick in the teeth and bite the kneecaps of opponents.

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Roughly 36 hours after a disputed call against Dallas led to a loss that took away a shot at the top seed in the NFC, Campbell said he had moved on and said players will do the same as they prepare for the regular-season finale.

“I’ve got pure octane right now,” Campbell added. “I woke up. I’m ready, so we’re moving forward.”

Looking back was not part of Campbell’s goal at his weekly news conference.

In an introductory speech that lasted 2 minutes, 10 seconds, he did not address the negated 2-point conversion caught by offensive tackle Taylor Decker against the Cowboys.

Officials ruled Decker an ineligible receiver because they said offensive lineman Dan Skipper reported in as eligible when both met referee Brad Allen along with offensive lineman Penei Sewell before the decisive play.

Decker told reporters in Dallas that he reported as eligible and Skipper said he didn’t say a word to the officials.

Campbell said he didn’t know if Skipper wiped the numbers on his jersey, potentially generating confusion for authorities because they may have thought he may have been doing that to register as eligible.

After a series of questions pertaining to the penalty, the typically outgoing and accommodating coach sounded surprisingly upset by the media.

Why do you people want to talk about this? he asked.

Campbell said he did not know of a reaction from the NFL relating to the team’s queries regarding the conversation, adding that team president Rod Wood is in charge of relations with the league.

“Until you guys ask me the questions, I’m over it,” Campbell replied. “I don’t even want to deal with it. Rod’s handling all of it, man. He’s got it and I don’t even want to deal with it. I’m done. I’m good. I simply want to go and I want to be ready for Minnesota and our players will be ready to roll.”

Wood was not accessible for reporters Monday, and the NFL has not commented on the call.

Because of the one-point loss in Dallas, the NFC North champion Lions (11-5) have less at stake Sunday at home against the division-foe Minnesota Vikings (7-9). Yet Campbell claimed he has no plans to rest wounded players for the playoffs.

Detroit has a chance to improve its playoff seeding with a win. The Lions presently hold the No. 3 spot in the NFC.

Campbell said banged-up rookie tight end Sam LaPorta is “fine” and that receiver Jameson Williams left the game against the Cowboys with an ankle injury, adding it was not significant.

He’s hoping defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson will play against the Vikings, marking his return from a torn pectoral muscle in the season-opening win against Kansas City, along with defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who has been out for a month with a knee ailment.

Even though Campbell did not want to talk about the call against the Cowboys, he believes it’s a blessing.

“We were in a tight game; we had a chance to win it, but we weren’t able to and so now you know what that’s like,” he said. “You know what that feels like and you can’t let that opportunity pass. You don’t know when that play’s going to be made—could be the first quarter, second quarter, right before halftime—so that’s why.”